EVERTON REJECTS HAMMERS' £5M BID FOR YAKUBU

By NBF News

Yakubu Aiyegbeni
Everton has rejected a bid from West Ham United for Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni, according to reports.

But Goal.com learnt that the Hammers could land the Nigerian with an improved offer of £7 million.

According to The Mail, the Toffees have turned-down an offer of £5 million for the striker, with the Hammers keen on bringing the former Portsmouth striker to Upton Park.

Reports on Wednesday claimed that Yakubu had verbally agreed to become Avram Grant's first major signing when the former Portsmouth boss is unveiled at Upton Park next week, and an improved offer for the striker should be enough to secure his services.

The Hammers are confident they can receive more than £10m through the sale of Carlton Cole, and see Yakubu as a like-for-like replacement.

An improved offer of £7 million should be enough to seal the deal, as David Moyes looks to strengthen his squad and needs to raise funds to pursue his targets, with the Goodison Park outfit having been linked to Manchester City's Craig Bellamy, and Marseille's French international Hatem Ben Arfa in recent weeks.

Yakubu, who is expected be at the World Cup in South Africa this summer, endured a frustrating campaign last season, and was pushed down the pecking order by Louis Saha.

But Grant has worked with the striker before, at Maccabi Haifa in Israel, where the striker helped his side win the league before moving to the Portsmouth, and the Upton Park bound tactician is eager to add the Nigerian hit man to his ranks.